The literary era since 1979

In May, the weather gradually became warmer, and Yanjing experienced rare high temperatures, with the air forming one heat wave after another.

The studio was as hot as a steamer. All the crew members were sweating profusely. It was even so hot that they couldn't see the color of the flames when they were shooting with the camera. Fortunately, "Farewell My Concubine" did not have any costume war scenes, otherwise, wearing helmets and armor in such weather would have resulted in heatstroke.

Therefore, the crew built a special water pouring shed, and in addition to water, they also provided Huoxiang Zhengqi pills and herbal tea for heatstroke prevention.

At this moment, people were pouring herbal tea into the enamel pot one after another, and their eyes inadvertently glanced at the closed door of the theater.

On the stage in the courtyard, Zhang Guorong and the Peking Opera teachers were performing "The Drunken Concubine", a classic Peking Opera.

"Empress Qi, Gao Lishi is toasting."

"Gao Lishi, what kind of wine are you toasting with?"

"What I offer you is a night of wine."

"Ya Ya Sui, who will stay with you all night?"

Then, the "Cultural Relics Field", equivalent to an opera band, began to play accompaniment, including the guzheng, jinghu, pipa and other instruments.

"Life is like a spring dream, so let's drink a few cups happily..."

Gong Xing stared at the picture on the monitor without looking away, even though beads of sweat the size of beans were oozing out of his hot forehead, neck and face.

The air in the entire theater was stuffy and everyone felt like they were in a sauna, but no one showed any signs of heat in the camera.

After a while, until the entire scene about "The Drunken Concubine" was finished, Gong Xing took the baton and shouted:
"Crack!"

"Give everyone 10 minutes to remove makeup, change clothes, rest, go to the bathroom, and then we will shoot the next scene."

As soon as these words were spoken, the extras who were acting as audience members in the audience breathed a sigh of relief, and under the command of Brother Chen Kai, they left the stage in an orderly manner.

The old man who played "Gao Lishi" wiped the sweat from his neck and reached out to take the cold tea handed to him by his apprentice:
"How many years has the actor who plays Yang Guifei studied opera?"

"Master, he has never learned acting. He is a famous star in Hong Kong."

The apprentice smiled. His master was a famous Peking Opera artist, known as "the best clown in the opera world", but he knew nothing about the Hong Kong entertainment industry.

"Hey, you can act so well without any training!"

The old man was greatly surprised and immediately turned his gaze towards Zhang Guorong who was stepping down from the stage.

The scene of "The Drunken Concubine" is extremely laborious, so it is usually performed by female warriors with a foundation in martial arts. Even ordinary female actors who have studied opera for many years may not be able to perform it. However, Zhang Guorong was able to perform the "spreading wide sleeves" dancing and lying fish movement in one go, without using a stunt double or any post-production editing and splicing in the movie, which shows how talented he is in opera.

"You're not the first one to praise him like this."

The apprentice was obviously a fan of Zhang Guorong. When he heard his master praising his idol, he had an expression of pride on his face.

While handing over the towel, he said: "I heard from others that everyone who has worked with him has praised his talent. No wonder Mr. Fang and Director Gong chose Zhang Guorong to play 'Cheng Dieyi' at first sight. He really seems like he walked out of a novel."

"To be able to master this level of skill in such a short time, talent alone is not enough. You must have suffered a lot."

The old man rolled his eyes, then came to the dressing room, and with the intention of making friends, made an appointment with Zhang Guorong to perform a short play together if they had the chance.

At this moment, a staff member came in, sucking on a popsicle, and said with joy on his face:
"Director Gong paid for popsicles and cold drinks for everyone. After removing your makeup, remember to go outside and get them."

"Director Gong said that we should never be polite to her, but there is one thing: don't eat too much, or you'll get a stomachache."

"........."

In the corridor, similar news was also echoing, spreading from one person to ten people, and from ten to a hundred people.

The crew soon erupted in thunderous applause, and everyone ran out at the same time.

The small vendors who were surrounded by the customers stood in the yard, lifted the small quilt covering the freezer, and took out popsicles, ice cream and cold drinks.

Gong Xing came to the dressing room with a few bottles of Beibingyang, and saw Zhang Guorong and Gong Li studying the plot and acting like good friends.

"Thank you for your hard work, thank you for your hard work."

"Don't say that, this is what I should do."

Zhang Guorong shook his head.

Gong Xing smiled but said nothing, recalling that since the filming of "Farewell My Concubine", the three main characters, Zhang Guorong, Gong Li and Jiang Wen, have had a lot of trouble, especially Zhang Guorong, whose face was often covered with stage makeup. In the scene at the city gate tower, his face had to be painted all over the place and he was wrapped in a tattered costume.

"Your current state is just like what they say in the movie, 'You can't live without being possessed by a demon.'"

Gong Li couldn't help but sigh.

Seeing Zhang Guorong rolling his eyes, Gong Xing suppressed the smile on his face, looked around, and exclaimed:
"Why can't I see Jiang Wen? Where did he go?"

"I don't know. I saw him here just now."

Gong Li secretly reported that Jiang Wen had been avoiding her and Zhang Guorong intentionally or unintentionally in recent times.

"Is there such a thing?"

Gong Xing raised his eyebrows, but he couldn't get any clear answer from Gong Li and Zhang Guorong, so his face gradually darkened.

So, taking advantage of the break, he and the assistant director and others went to look for Jiang Wen separately.

Under a big tree, Jiang Wen was seen squatting on the ground enjoying the cool air, with a popsicle in his mouth, chatting and laughing with the crew members.

"Why are you staying here? Why don't you go inside?"

Gong Xing came over and said, "There is an electric fan inside."

"I'm fine here. I can finish one popsicle and then have another one."

Jiang Wen smiled.

"Really just for the popsicles?"

Gong Xing asked him indirectly about his relationship with Zhang Guorong and Gong Li, mistakenly believing that there was some misunderstanding or conflict between the three.

"That's not the case!"

Jiang Wen couldn't help but laugh.

Gong Xing noticed that his smile was somewhat awkward and deliberate. "Then tell me, what is the situation between you two?"

"This……"

Jiang Wen opened his mouth, but still didn't say anything.

"How about I ask my husband to come talk to you in person after he returns from Hong Kong?"

Gong Xing gave him a meaningful look.

"Don't worry, don't worry. It's not a big deal. How can I trouble Teacher Fang to make a special trip?"

Jiang Wen was suddenly startled and told the truth, no matter in the play or outside the play, Zhang Guorong always stared at him without blinking, and that look was very wrong, full of affection, as if the lover's eyes were full of beauty, staring at him and making him feel creepy.

"Pfft!"

Gong Xing laughed out loud.

"Look, look, I told you something I shouldn't have told you." Jiang Wen was helpless: "I just can't stand his gaze, so every time the filming is over, I try to stay away from him."

"Just for this? You are a top student who graduated from a prestigious Chinese drama school. Don't you know that this is the style of the experiential school?"

Gong Xing said bluntly that at that time Zhang Guorong was having trouble getting into the role and it was Fang Yan who gave him some advice.

"So this rotten...good idea was given to him by Teacher Fang!"

Jiang Wen smiled bitterly, "Teacher Fang really...really made me suffer!"

Gong Xing suddenly said, "He's going back to Beijing in the next few days. Why don't you tell him about your troubles?"

"Teacher Fang is going back to Yanjing!?"

Jiang Wen blurted out in such a loud voice that it immediately attracted the attention of everyone coming and going in the yard: Fang Yan is going back to Beijing!

…………

Four days later, Fangyan's plane arrived at Capital International Airport.

It was not Gong Xing who came to greet him, but Wang Shuo and Yu Hua. Before leaving Hong Kong, he specially contacted the editorial department of "Mystery World".

"Teacher Fang!"

Wang Shuo, who calls himself "the number one lackey of the dialect", ran up to him happily.

"Look at the two of you. You look quite wealthy, don't you?"

Dialect looks left and right.

"That's all thanks to you."

Wang Shuo said that now the reputation of the editorial department and studio of "Mystery World" has been well-known, and more and more TV stations, publishing houses and film studios are looking for them to write articles, and earning royalties is as easy as drinking water.

"Since you are so rich, then you can treat us to the welcoming banquet tonight."

Yu Hua smiled.

"Okay, I'll treat you, but I've got it made clear beforehand, I'll treat you, and you'll pay the bill!"

Wang Shuo joked.

"Hey, you just said making money is as easy as drinking water, but now you don't give a penny, you are a fool!"

Yu Hua made a joke.

Seeing the two people arguing, Fangyan raised his hand to interrupt them, and then followed them to a Lada car.

Lada, like GAZ and Volga, is a national-level automobile brand of the Russians. Its design cannot be said to be exactly the same as that of Fiat 124, but at least it can be said to be carved from the same mold, because Lada's production line was introduced from Fiat.

Although it is known as one of the four major ruins in Eastern Europe, it has inherited the fine traditions of the Russian industry. Don’t underestimate its size, but it runs fast and charges hard!
There is even a saying that goes, "Russia has four strange things, and the Lada drives faster than a rocket."

I thought the car would belong to Wang Shuo, but I didn't expect that the owner and driver would be Ye Jing.

"Teacher Fang, we'll arrange a welcome dinner for you at his Sichuan restaurant tonight. What do you think?"

Wang Shuo said bluntly that this restaurant was opened jointly by him and Ye Jing.

"It just so happened that I was tired of Western and Cantonese food in Hong Kong, so I tried Sichuan cuisine to change my taste."

Fangyan put the luggage in the trunk and then sat in the back driver's seat.

Wang Shuo, who was sitting in the passenger seat, half turned around and asked attentively, "Teacher Fang, are you going to stay in Yanjing for a few more days this time?"

Fang Yan smiled and said, "Why is that? Do you have any special plans?"

Yu Hua replied: "Isn't it next week that Desire will premiere."

"'Desire' was completed so quickly?" Fangyan was very surprised.

"It was mainly because Zheng Xiaolong and Su Ya pushed us hard, so we shot quickly, and they also put a lot of thought into the publicity."

Yu Hua said that in addition to Yanjing TV broadcasting the trailer, people from the Television Art Center also specifically contacted Shougang.

In order to thank Shougang for its help in the filming and creation of "Desire", a trial broadcast was specially arranged in the factory, and many mainstream media were invited.

"It seems like they have high hopes for The Desire."

Fangyan's mouth corners slightly raised.

Yu Hua nodded. After all, the chief screenwriter of "Desire" was Mr. Fang, and the main writers were himself and Shi Tiesheng.

In addition, the Yanjing Television Art Center has invested most of its resources in this drama, and its quality is obvious to all. It is even confident enough to compete with CCTV and compare "Desire" with "The Last Emperor" starring Chen Daoming.

"Since you all sincerely want me to stay a few more days, then I will stay in Yanjing for a few more days."

Fangyan pondered for a moment and made a plan.

Yu Hua, Wang Shuo and others smiled at each other, very excited.

The car drove quickly towards Shichahai. After Fangyan put his luggage in the courtyard, he rushed to Lama Temple Street without stopping.

In front of everyone in the editorial department of "Mystery World", he talked incessantly about the process of founding "Comic World" and the plan to introduce "Comic World" to the mainland for distribution, which immediately aroused everyone's interest, especially "Ghost Blowing Out the Light" and "Xuan-Yuan Sword".

"When the comic magazine comes out, I will definitely be the first to see it!"

Yu Hua blurted out.

The same is true for Wang Shuo, Shi Tiesheng, Lu Haiyan and others. Although they are more or less disdainful of popular literature such as martial arts novels, and even do not admit that martial arts novels can be considered literature, they are all very much looking forward to what the "fantasy" themes mentioned in the dialect will be like.

"After Xuan-Yuan Sword has gained a certain amount of popularity and influence, we can discuss the possibility of establishing a magazine to publish fantasy literature such as cultivation, martial arts, fantasy, fantasy, and spiritual fantasy." Fang Yan looked around, "What do you think?"

Everyone present had no objection, except for the name of the magazine, where there were constant disagreements and no consensus.

………………

Just as the filming of "Farewell My Concubine" was in full swing, Yanjing also became lively.

First, CCTV frequently promoted the TV series "The Last Emperor", and used the gimmick of the movie of the same name winning multiple Oscars.

Then more and more newspapers were paying attention to a TV series called "Desire", the source of which came from a report in "Yanjing Youth Daily":
"Not long ago, a TV series called Desire was tested at Shougang. In this steel factory with more than 10,000 people, Desire received almost 100% positive reviews. The most important thing for all employees after get off work is to watch Desire on TV."

"Just yesterday, the crew of the drama was invited to Shougang and was warmly welcomed by the employees, who expressed their love for the drama."

"An employee of Shougang said in an interview, 'Watching "Desire" is like having a pot of strong tea after eating too much greasy food, and then chewing a crisp radish to clear your mind and reduce internal heat; it's like old neighbors visiting and talking about how the Song and Wang families have changed over the years.'"

There are no serious ratings statistics these days. It all depends on how the media exaggerates it, no matter how much they exaggerate it.

The key point is that after this report came out, several more followed, all of which were praises from the literary and art circles and the media after watching the internal trial broadcast.

The more they reported it, the more curious the people became. The more curious they became, the less Yanjing TV broadcast it. As Fangyan suggested, they were engaging in "hunger marketing."

When the show was almost over, it was finally announced: "Desire will be broadcast on May 5, with one episode per day." (End of this chapter)