Writer 1978: I Need to Give the Literary World a Lesson

Chapter 139 Liu Yimin remained silent, only focusing on calculating the royalties.
"He attended a sports school for eight years and studied dance. During the Cultural Revolution, he worked in a cultural troupe and later joined a military cultural troupe. He has a wealth of experience. He just graduated from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Before graduating, he worked at a medical research institute." Liu Yimin spoke of Zhu Lin's experiences with great familiarity.

Zhang Mengzhao glanced at Liu Yimin in the darkness and teased, "You remember it quite clearly. But this girl is young, yet experienced."

Zhang Mengzhao watched Zhu Lin on stage, pondering his next move. Throughout the entire performance, he kept his eyes fixed on Zhu Lin.

As soon as the play ended, Zhang Mengzhao stared intently at Zhu Lin as he took his bow and asked, "Comrade Yimin, what were your thoughts after watching it?"

"What does it feel like?"

Zhang Mengzhao didn't speak, but instead wanted Liu Yimin to take her backstage to meet Zhu Lin. Since Liu Yimin was there, he naturally wanted to meet the actors.

"Old Pu, why do I feel like you're nervous during your performance today?" Yang Lixin's voice came from backstage.

Pu Cunxi nudged Yang Lixin's shoulder and retorted without any politeness, "I think your acting is all holes!"

"Hey, when did you abandon your humility? When I'm on stage, the audience's opinion of me is much better than yours!" Yang Lixin said jokingly as he quickly changed his clothes.

"What's so good about it?"

“Image! Just by standing on that stage, the audience will think I'm a cut above you!”

Listening to the two joking and bickering, Lan Tianye couldn't help but laugh out loud. But after laughing, he started to comment on Pu Cunxi's performance, saying that it was indeed a bit unnatural.

Liu Yimin walked over to Lan Tianye and greeted everyone with a smile.

Zhang Mengzhao moved closer to Zhu Lin and began to observe him closely. This left Zhu Lin completely bewildered, and he frowned slightly.

They turned their questioning gaze to Liu Yimin, who simply smiled and remained silent.

After everyone came out, Zhang Mengzhao ran to Liu Yimin and said, "I want Zhu Lin to try out for a role at the Shanghai Film Studio, to play Zhou Yun. What do you think? I think his image and temperament are a perfect fit. He looks so sophisticated standing there, like he came back from America."

"Stylish? Editor Zhang, have you ever met an overseas Chinese?"

“I haven’t seen her, but I think she’s a good fit. I just don’t know if she can pull it off, but with her theatrical background, I think she’ll have no problem playing Zhou Yun. What do you think?”

Liu Yimin, of course, didn't see any problem with it. Zhu Lin's bright smile, delicate features, and lively personality were a perfect fit for the role of Zhou Yun. He simply continued, "It's not up to me. You'll have to discuss it with the Beijing People's Art Theatre. I support you!"

“You’re Cao Lao’s student, so your word doesn’t count, right? Your status at the Beijing People’s Art Theatre is equivalent to that of the eldest son in ancient times!” Zhang Mengzhao felt instantly relieved, thinking that he had found a suitable actor.

After the Shanghai Film Studio confirmed the start of filming, they began searching for actors from all over the country, but they haven't found many suitable ones yet. If I were to go back and bring one back myself, everyone in the studio would praise my excellent eye for talent.

A business trip kills two birds with one stone! No, it kills three birds with one stone: he can be used as an actor and a doctor.

Zhang Mengzhao approached Lan Tianye and expressed his desire to have Zhu Lin audition. Lan Tianye frowned; this was an attempt to poach someone from his team.

However, it is quite normal for stage actors to be seconded to film studios to shoot movies, and other actors have also had the experience of shooting movies at film studios.

The actors in the drama troupe are even better than the actors trained by their own film studio, which is something the Beijing People's Art Theatre is very proud of.

"I discussed it with the other colleagues in the theater. At present, Zhu Lin is not only involved in the play 'Mr. Donkey,' but she is also the understudy for 'Wang Zhaojun.' If we want her to perform at the premiere, this is a tribute play, and we can't afford any mistakes."

Lan Tianye stood with his hands behind his back, unsure of what to do. He found Yu Shizhi and Su Min, who said they needed to consult Cao Yu, since "Wang Zhaojun" was Cao Yu's script.

Cao Yu himself was quite satisfied with Zhu Lin's portrayal of Wang Zhaojun. In addition, Liu Yimin, a student of Jiabao Gong, was also in the cast.

Lan Tianye picked up the drama troupe's phone and called Cao Yu. On the other end, Cao Yu was reading in his study, listening to Lan Tianye recount the whole story over the phone.

Cao Yu pondered for a moment and said, "We should still respect the actors' opinions. Besides, both films have A and B actors, so it's fine if they go! I'm still waiting to see Yi Min's movie. I think Zhu Lin is a good candidate. Also, isn't it supposed to be an audition? It doesn't necessarily mean they'll be rejected."

Lan Tianye hung up the phone and said to Zhang Mengzhao, "Lord Jiabao agreed to let Comrade Zhu Lin audition. If he is selected, we can just arrange a temporary transfer contract."

When actors are seconded between different units, an agreement must be followed, specifying the payer and the exact amount of labor and various expenses.

Zhang Mengzhao happily shook hands with Lan Tianye: "Thank you to the comrades of Beijing People's Art Theatre for their support, and thank you to Jiabao for his support of Shanghai Film Studio. With the actors in place, the filming period is estimated to be about three months, and then we can return everything intact."

"You still need to talk to the actors!" Lan Tianye was somewhat reluctant. Normally, there's no need to consult the actors; once selected, a transfer order is issued and they're gone.

Zhang Mengzhao nodded repeatedly in agreement, but then worried that his laughter might upset Lan Tianye: "The little girl hasn't already left, has she?"

"Yimin is still here, why would she leave? She must be waiting downstairs!"

So Yuzhi's teasing made Liu Yimin feel extremely embarrassed, his face turning slightly red, but the office lights weren't very bright, so it wasn't noticeable.

Zhang Mengzhao hurriedly went downstairs, and Lan Tianye followed behind Liu Yimin, saying, "Lord Jiabao still dotes on you!"

“There are no other students, so who else should we favor if not Su Min? Losing one actor won’t have a big impact on the overall program. We should trust our actors; they are all excellent.” Yu Shizhi patted Su Min on the shoulder, signaling him to say something.

Su Min grunted an "Mmm" without even opening his mouth.

As Zhu Lin walked downstairs, leaning on her bicycle, she heard Zhang Mengzhao gesturing wildly in front of her. She felt as if she had been electrocuted, her mind went blank, and her heart was pounding.

Zhang Mengzhao pressed Zhu Lin for her consent, and Zhu Lin looked to Liu Yimin for help.

"Zhu Lin, think it over carefully. The leaders of the Beijing People's Art Theatre have no objections, so you don't need to rush to give an answer," Liu Yimin said with a smile. His warm demeanor immediately calmed Zhu Lin down.

Zhang Mengzhao was anxious; she was very anxious because she had to return to the Shanghai Film Studio tomorrow.

Liu Yimin patted Zhang Mengzhao's shoulder, signaling him not to rush.

On the way back, the three of them rode their bicycles side by side. Zhu Lin looked at Liu Yimin, Liu Yimin looked at Zhang Mengzhao, and Zhang Mengzhao thought for a long time before saying "Oh" and riding his bicycle ahead.

After Zhang Mengzhao had walked away, Zhu Lin said, "I didn't realize it just now. When did I become the lead actor in a movie?"

"The Shanghai Film Studio invited you to audition because they value your skills. It shows you have a high level of professionalism. Think it over carefully and see if you're willing to go." After thinking for a while, Zhu Lin stared at Liu Yimin and said, "I want to go, but I still need to discuss it with my parents. Besides, three or four months is too long!"

"Three or four months? You still miss home?" Liu Yimin said with a smile.

"I don't miss home, I do."

Zhu Lin lowered his head and stopped talking, just kept pedaling his bicycle until he got home, then waved goodbye to Liu Yimin.

When Zhu Lin returned home and opened the door, his parents were still awake. Ever since Zhu Lin started working at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, they would always wait for him to come home before they would rest.

"Linlin's back? Your grandma brought some steamed rice cakes, come and have a taste!" Father Zhu put down his newspaper and pointed to the steamed rice cakes on the table.

Zhu Lin washed her hands, smiled, picked up a piece, and put it in her mouth. The soft bread had a sweet egg flavor. "Caozi Gao" is basically a type of steamed sponge cake.

"Why are you so late today?" Mr. Zhu asked with a smile.

"Something came up at the Beijing People's Art Theatre!" Zhu Lin said casually.

Zhu's mother walked over from the window, the curtains were still swaying, and the window faced the street outside.

"Linlin has grown up. It's okay if she comes home a little later, but she can't come home too late, it's not safe. Now that she's working, she should be careful about the friends she makes."

Zhu's mother had something in mind, but she didn't expose it. They had been observing for a while and would occasionally see the two of them come back together, but most of the time it was Zhu Lin alone.

Zhu Lin closed his ears, pretending not to know what it meant, and stretched his body on the sofa to relax his joints: "Mom and Dad, an editor from the Shanghai Film Studio contacted me today and wants me to audition for a role at the Shanghai Film Studio!"

Mr. and Mrs. Zhu exchanged a glance and immediately became interested, especially Mrs. Zhu, who sat down next to Zhu Lin: "Linlin, what movie are you going to be in?"

"For 'Romance on Lushan Mountain,' they didn't say it would definitely be me; they just asked me to audition."

Zhu's father said, "Romance on Lushan Mountain? Liu Yimin's novel is going to be adapted into a movie? That's fast, it was only published in April!"

"It's already been adapted; he's very fast. Shanghai Film Studio plans to film it soon and release it next year. So they're in a hurry and want me to go to Shanghai tomorrow."

Zhu's mother inquired about the details from the side, while Zhu's father, somewhat worried, got up and paced back and forth in the living room, occasionally glancing down at the street below.

"Old Zhu, what's wrong?" Zhu's mother couldn't help but ask when she saw his worried look.

After pacing back and forth a few more times, Mr. Zhu finally voiced his concerns: "This is a romance novel. What kind of impact will it have if it's made into a movie? If it gets criticized, Linlin will suffer as a result."

"Dad, Comrade Liu Yimin said this isn't a romance film, it's a scenic and lyrical film!" Zhu Lin quickly said.

Zhu's father glared at Zhu Lin and said with exasperation, "You believe everything he says? I think you should thank him if he sells you out!"

"How could he possibly sell me? What would he get from selling me? My dear father, I think Comrade Liu Yimin is right, it's just a scenic and lyrical film!" Zhu Lin pressed her father down onto the sofa, rubbing his shoulders and acting coquettishly.

When Zhu's mother heard what Zhu's father said, she was also worried: "Will something happen? Linlin, why don't you stop acting? Isn't acting in plays good enough? Filming movies in the mountains is hard and tiring!"

After chatting for a long time, Zhu Lin finally convinced the two of them by citing the reason that Dean Cao had agreed.

"My dear dad and mom, go to sleep now. I haven't decided yet, but if I do, I'll have to leave tomorrow. I'll think about it tonight."

Zhu Lin lay on the bed with his hands behind his head, staring blankly at the branches swaying in the moonlight outside the window. Three or four months have passed. Sigh, I really don't know what I'm thinking.

Liu Yimin's three novels have been on sale for half a month since the beginning of September. From the start of the sale, their sales momentum has been unstoppable.

Readers lined up outside Xinhua bookstores everywhere, some buying only one book, while those with more money bought all three. After buying, they stuffed the books into their bags and left the bookstore smugly.

As a popular romance novel among young people, "Romance on Lushan Mountain" sold extremely quickly. Within just half a month of its release, the publisher had to put a second printing on the agenda.

Seeing the strong momentum in publishing, the Commercial Press also wanted a piece of the pie. Unfortunately, all of Liu Yimin's novels, except for "The College Entrance Examination 1977," were acquired by the People's Literature Publishing House.

The Commercial Press was just reinstated in August and is in dire need of books to revitalize its reputation.

Representatives from The Commercial Press approached People's Literature Publishing House, hoping to trade the copyright and change the publishing arrangement from exclusive to joint publication between the two publishers.

Chen Yuan, an editor at The Commercial Press, approached Wei Junyi, the president of People's Literature Publishing House, hoping she could lend a helping hand, given that The Commercial Press had just resumed operations.

Who is Ke Weijunyi? At first, People's Literature Publishing House disagreed with her statement, but after much persuasion, they finally agreed to have the Commercial Press publish it at the same time.

Chen Yuan of the Commercial Press slammed his fist on the table in anger, accusing People's Literature of extortion. People's Literature responded, "Take it or leave it."

Ultimately, faced with the situation, Chen Yuan had no choice but to back down. However, at a meeting in the library, he slammed his fist on the table and ordered his editors to seize every single one of Liu Yimin's novels that were published, and preferably not to leave any for the People's Literature Publishing House.

"People's Literature offered us better conditions than we did, it's infuriating!" Chen Yuan said angrily.

Then, realizing he had overreacted, he sat down and drank a cup of tea.

"Our Commercial Press has just resumed operations, and we must quickly organize the excellent books that can be published, and also expedite the publication of dictionaries. In this new era of cultural development, we must make our own contribution to cultural prosperity."

The Commercial Press not only publishes domestic books, but also translates and publishes many foreign classics in China. In addition, their dictionaries are also the most famous.

Who hasn't read the Xinhua Dictionary yet!

They approached Liu Yimin about matters concerning the Commercial Press and People's Literature Publishing House, but Liu Yimin refused to concern himself with them.

Liu Yimin remained silent, intently calculating his royalties on the abacus.

In addition, he spent his own money to buy 100 copies of each of the four books he published and sent them to Saihanba Forest Farm through People's Literature Publishing House. Winter is coming to Saihanba Forest Farm, and he hopes that these books can help them alleviate their loneliness in the blizzard.

(End of this chapter)