Literary Master 1983

Chapter 247 Farewell Dinner

Back then, there was no such thing as a wrap party after filming, but there was a custom of having a farewell dinner.

Moreover, this practice was supported by the film studio itself. According to the instructions in the "Meal Allowance Reimbursement Form" of Shanghai Film Studio, the actors received a daily meal allowance of 33 cents during filming, while the daily meal standard for the company at that time was 0.46 yuan.

He's almost at the level of an active-duty soldier!

An actor might earn a total of ten yuan a month to eat, which would be nothing decades later, but now he can afford a bowl of meat noodles every night, or buy two or three cakes, or five or six loaves of bread.

Making movies is great, it really makes you a superior person.

Unlike the TV series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," where the three brothers Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were so hungry that they had to steal corn from a villager's house... and they even got caught.

Xie Jin took charge of coordinating the whole thing, making sure everyone ate and drank well. Each person contributed two yuan from their food allowance, and Xie Jin personally donated another twenty yuan. They slaughtered a small black pig in the suburbs of Beijing, bought some fruit, melon seeds, and other snacks, and had a poor man's version of a buffet.

"Take whatever you want to eat!" Xie Jin called out. "I also have a skewer of fermented bean curd sheets here. I know you all like this kind of thing. There aren't many left, so feel free to take whatever you like."

More moldy tofu sheets?
That smell was so strong... please have mercy on me.

Yu Qie brought a bottle of Italian red wine and two jin of sliced ​​braised pig ears, and also joined the dinner. Besides him, many of the main cast members brought gifts. Gong Xue brought a large box of chocolates, the actors from Xinjiang Province bought ten jin of dried fruit together, and even the youngest, Xiao Yingzi, contributed White Rabbit milk candy from Shanghai.

Mouths were moving, and hands were shifting back and forth.

Xie Jin quickly noticed that no one was eating his fermented bean curd sheets. Yu Qie was pouring drinks and bragging, Gong Xue was handing out candy... who cared about him? In desperation, Xie Jin shouted, "Who's going to eat my food? I specially chose the most authentic shop, I ran ten miles!"

"—I'll do it!" Jiang Wen didn't hesitate, stuffing two sheets into his mouth. His eyes widened immediately, and he desperately swallowed them, holding his breath. Then he gave a thumbs up.

"As expected of Director Xie's selection, it's really delicious."

Yu Qie shook his head.
Who says Jiang Wen is upright and incorruptible? Isn't she quite clever?

When everyone had almost finished eating, Xie Jin asked Yu Qie to speak to the group. Yu Qie stood up and raised his glass: "The reason we are gathered here today is because... Bah! Comrades, the reason we are able to eat a hot meal is because our labor deserves a feast. The factory leaders and the audience in society expect us to bring excellent works."

"The filming of 'Children of Heaven' was not smooth. Director Xie has told me a lot these days... We used actors from the Shanghai Film Studio and the Tianshan Film Studio. They came from all over the country, but they completed an artistic work in Kashgar. I heard that some people got nosebleeds as soon as they arrived in Kashgar, some people didn't speak Chinese very well, some people had trouble adjusting to the environment and had difficulty sleeping, and could only rely on listening to music... But in the end, everyone persevered."

"In my view, film is another extension of literature. Literature is just one art form. I believe that with everyone's help, this novel will be able to gain wider dissemination and help more people!"

Everyone put down their chopsticks and burst into applause!

Starting from May, filming for "Children of Heaven" took nearly three months, which is quite moving to think about. During those three months, we practically traversed the entire northern part of China.

The one with the nosebleed was Gong Xue. She had never been to such a northwestern place before. She didn't expect the temperature difference between day and night to be so great, and it was incredibly dry... Gong Xue was a girl from Shanghai, and she suffered a lot, but she didn't complain at all.

Suddenly, Yu Qie remembered that the original film "Children of Heaven" had won an A-level international film festival. He couldn't help but add, "I have to say a few more words. I suggest taking the film overseas for exhibitions, especially in the Middle East and Europe. I wish everyone can win an international award."

"Where is it?" Xie Jin asked, intrigued.

"Saudi Arabia, Iran, East Germany... these places. Although they can't compare to the United States, they also have their own film awards. Comrades, don't always focus on Europe and America. At this time, the mediocre awards of other small countries are still international honors! They are useful for judging awards and promotions."

This really resonated with everyone.

The people at the film studio received fixed salaries, and raises depended entirely on performance evaluations. At that point, it was either a matter of connections or winning awards. Awards were always welcome, no matter how many.

But Jiang Wen was confused: "Yu Qie, what is a 'fake award'?"

Oh, that's not the case yet.

Yu Qie explained, "A 'wild chicken award' is a small, local award with little reputation. The judging process is rather unreliable... meaning it's quite lenient."

Jiang Wen suddenly realized: "I thought you meant Golden Rooster. It has the character 'rooster' in its name."

Yu Qie immediately said, "How could that be! The Golden Rooster Award is the highest professional film award in mainland China, and we have a Golden Rooster Best Actress sitting here. Gong Xue won both the Golden Rooster and Huabiao Awards last year. In the acting field, she is basically on par with my 'Mao Dun Award'."

Xie Jin was a little curious: "Don't you also have the Order of the King of Thailand and the Japanese Literature Prize? I'm afraid the Mao Dun Literature Prize can't compare to that."

“You’re wrong about that,” Yu Qie said. “The Akutagawa Prize is just the beginning. When I look back on my life in the future, it won’t be as important as the Mao Dun Literature Prize. We just need to let things play out for a while.”

Let the bullets fly? That's interesting.

"—Yu Qie, what you said is really interesting!" Jiang Wen suddenly gave a thumbs up.

"Yu Qie, well done!" Gong Xue also laughed. She rested her chin on her hand, barely eating, and just listened intently to Yu Qie's words.

She clapped her hands whenever Yu Qie said something.

Jiang Wen immediately raised an eyebrow: Sima Xue's intentions are obvious to everyone. Gong Xue's willingness to go to Kashgar to endure such hardship is partly due to Yu Qi's reasons.

Unfortunately, Yu Qie did not accept the challenge.

Based on Jiang Wen's understanding of Yu Qie, although Yu Qie, like any man, instinctively likes pretty girls, it is still very difficult for him to cross that line.

In Yu Qie's novel "Da Sa Ba," the two main characters, Gu Yan and Lin Zhouyun, missed each other because neither was willing to confess their feelings. When Gu Yan saw Lin Zhouyun off for the last time, he was carrying a bag of braised food, which was his silent hint that if Lin Zhouyun had been willing to stay, they could have gone back together.

However, Lin Zhouyun was also waiting for Gu Yan to say it, and he also tried to test Gu Yan. In the end, after testing her back and forth, they ran out of their chance.

Yu Qie's current status is already Gu Yan's Nth generation pro max, so of course he doesn't need to make it clear first. They already have a very good relationship, but Gong Xue shouldn't be so aloof!

According to the Chinese national football team, time is running out for Gong Xue.

Yu Qie attracted the attention of many actresses in the crew. Gong Xue was a prime example, and even Gu Zilinuer, another actress, couldn't help but mention that she had read Yu Qie's novel. Women of their ethnic group don't drink alcohol, yet they naturally took a little of Yu Qie's wine, then presented it to him with a deep bow, expressing their sincere gratitude.

Drink it all in one gulp.

Because there is no Yuqie, the best outcome for Guzilinuer would be to return to the Tianshan Film Studio, but now she may be taken by the Shanghai Film Studio.

What's most infuriating is that these women weren't submitting to Yu Qie's tyranny; they were genuinely in love with him!
Thinking of this, Jiang Wen felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment. He took the lead in toasting Yu Qie. "Teacher Yu, in the entire crew, besides Director Xie, you are the person I admire the most. Your story gets better and better with each take.

Xie Jin then came over to offer a toast, emphasizing that without Yu Qie, there would be no film.

Gong Xue saw this, and of course she poured a thin layer of wine over as well, and drank it in front of Yu Qie.

“Yu Qie!” Gong Xue said, “I have nothing to say, but I just feel it’s worth having a drink with you. In my heart, you are a person who can stand tall and be upright.”

A stunningly beautiful woman who once made your nose bleed is offering you a toast; how could you possibly refuse?
Yu Qie accepted all offers of toasts, as he couldn't refuse anyone. In the end, even "Little Yingzi's" parents came to offer a toast, because "Little Yingzi" originally couldn't act in this film, but Yu Qie made an exception for her, allowing her to act in the movie again.

……

The red wine was quickly poured out and replaced with sorghum liquor brought by the assistant director... The sorghum liquor was almost gone too, and then someone pulled out a bottle of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

Depend on!
This is a mix of white and red.

Yu Qie was already a little drunk.

Xie Jin then pulled Yu Qie aside, insisting on having a toast with him. Director Xie's life was full of misfortunes; he lost both his parents and his child was disabled. So, like the character actor Gu Yue, he was always drinking. He drank when he was happy, when he was sad, and when he was creating and looking for inspiration... Although he wasn't a big drinker, he was very willing to drink.

"Yu Qie, have a couple of bites. You're such a great novelist, when are you going to let me film 'The Way Out'?"

"What are you thinking about? Don't rush. Don't fall, don't fall... Director Xie, your health is the most important thing."

"Yu Qie, are there any other ways? I can make other works too."

“‘The Big Shot’?” Yu Qie slowly shook his head. “That novel can wait a bit. How about ‘Together with You’? Let me see if you can adapt it… if it’s better than that other one… that poetry prodigy…”

Despite his drunkenness, Xie Jin asked again, "Will you film 'The Way Out'?"

"No, no, I won't film," Yu said. "This is the last drink, I'm not coming. Director Xie, please don't drink anymore either."

After several such episodes, Xie Jin collapsed prematurely. Yu Qie, on the other hand, lasted much longer and chatted with the sleeping Xie Jin for quite a while.

"Old Xie, let me tell you something. Don't underestimate Jiang Wen. He'll be very successful in the future... I really didn't expect that you two would have a teacher-student relationship. It turns out that Jiang Wen was promoted by you, Old Xie."

He said again after a while:

"Damn it! Why can't Guan Moye learn from this? It's something that could be easily solved by simply changing one's mindset..."

Jiang Wen couldn't help but ask curiously, "Who is Guan Moye?"

Yu Qie was almost drunk. He tried to open his eyes wide and stared at Jiang Wen. Suddenly, he said, "Guan Moye and you are also destined to meet. Wow, this literary circle is really small. The other day I went to see Li Yining, and I actually ran into Qian Zhongshu on the way. He also knows that I wrote a paper... You might have some kind of connection with him, Jiang Wen. Actually, you should also read other people's novels!"

Who is Guan Moye? I have no idea!
Jiang Wen said, "My brother Yu is invincible. I'll befriend you for the rest of my life!"

"You...you..." Yu Qie pointed at Jiang Wen, wanting to say something, but finally:
"boom!"

collapsed.

Gong Xue had been watching him the whole time, and took advantage of the moment when his head tilted down to hug him.

"Yu Qie? Yu Qie?" Gong Xue patted Yu Qie's face.

Yu Qie's face was flushed from drinking, and his breath reeked of alcohol, but Gong Xue, who was staring intently at Yu Qie, was even redder than Yu Qie.

Before long, Yu Qie also fell asleep.

Gong Xue and Guzilinuer volunteered to help Yu Qie to his room to rest. The place where they had their meal resembled a farmhouse courtyard.

Yu Qie is too heavy! How did he manage to run down the mountain when we were visiting people on the front lines? Fortunately, he can still walk a few steps by relying on his consciousness.

Gong Xue thought to herself.

As soon as she entered, Guzilinur looked around and, seeing that there weren't many people, said, "You'll have to step up your game."

“What do you mean by ‘try harder’?” Gong Xue said.

Guzilinur couldn't help but laugh and said, "Our whole crew could tell that you definitely like Teacher Yu. You Han Chinese don't express your feelings as directly as we do, but you actually went to southern Xinjiang, and you didn't leave the front line even with minor injuries... and you often share Yu Qie's books, saying everywhere that he writes well. Who wouldn't see that?"

"And when others don't know Yu Qie, you're telling them what Yu Qie looks like? This is not just about an actor showing respect to a screenwriter."

So obvious?

Gong Xue was startled.

Guzilinuer advised Gong Xue to cut her own mess quickly and stop being so indecisive. She warned her that she wasn't the first to try and steal someone else's partner.

"Anyway, all writers have several partners. Even those who are much worse than Teacher Yu have several partners, so why can't you?"

These bold and inappropriate words reminded Gong Xue of Yu Shuqing from the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe. Yu Shuqing was another dancer who went to the front lines at the time. She was very organized and planned her actions. While performing at the front, she was genuinely moved to tears for the soldiers on the border, and at the same time, she was planning to immigrate abroad.

At the beginning of this year, Yu Shuqing called Gong Xue and said that she had arrived in Australia and was starting out as a dishwasher, and that she was now an Australian.

"Will you shoot at us in the future?" Gong Xue asked her.

“I’m already an Australian citizen.” Yu Shuqing didn’t answer directly, but implied it.

Ugh!
Now it's another "Yu Shuqing" trying to persuade me. This Yu Shuqing's decisiveness has really impressed her.

Gong Xue really wanted to throw caution to the wind and disregard her reputation, but unfortunately, she wasn't that kind of person. Right now, she especially wished her younger sister, Gong Ying, were here, so she could give her a push and alleviate her moral burden.

Suddenly, Yu Qie turned over.

Yu Qie is awake?!
Gong Xue was taken aback and looked closely at Yu Qie for a while—he was still unconscious.

She was a little disappointed again.

If Yu Qie wakes up and asks her what she's doing, she can take advantage of Yu Qie's incoherent state to tell him what's on her mind.

Finally, just like last time, Gong Xue left a piece of chocolate on Yu Qie's bed. When Yu Qie woke up and saw it, he took it and asked Jiang Wen, "Jiang Wen, who left me this candy?"

"Brother Yu, I saved this for you to help you sober up," Jiang Wen replied without hesitation.

"You left this? You came to see me last night?"

Jiang Wen immediately understood that the candy was left by Gong Xue. He dared not pretend anymore, and after thinking for a moment, he wondered if he should talk about Gong Xue.

(End of this chapter)