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

Chapter 399 Establishing a National-Level Think Tank

The August First Film Studio had just finished filming "The Legendary Shopkeeper" when they were about to assemble a television production team for "The Best Restaurant in the World".

Once the factory makes money, the support for them increases even more. They provide manpower and equipment as needed, and if they don't have new equipment, they order it directly from the equipment manufacturer.

Li Jun said, "This feeling of rushing to film is so wonderful. After Wei Lian has gained experience in several films, he will have no problem directing on his own."

"Comrade Yimin, thank you so much for your script. Without your excellent script, I, Wei Lian, would still be an unknown nobody at the August First Film Studio." Wei Lian said with a smile.

Liu Yimin said, "Director Wei, you've come this far step by step."

"There are plenty of people who can take things one step at a time, so it doesn't matter if I, Wei Lian, am not one of them. But without a good script, no matter how hard I try, I won't be able to make it well."

The three of them discussed the casting for "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" in the study. The two of them had already searched through several drama troupes in the August First Film Studio and Beijing Drama Theatre, vowing to find actors who fit the casting criteria.

“I think the movie ‘The Bao Family’ released last year is very similar to Chang Gui’s son in ‘The Best Restaurant Under Heaven’. Both of them come from poor families and like to hang out with shady people. The actor who plays ‘Bao Guowei’ could play Chang Gui’s son in the movie,” Liu Yimin suggested.

Wei Lian thought for a moment and said, "It's that Bao Guowei who likes to use Stamcon, his name is Liu Changwei."

“That’s a good choice. This guy looks cowardly and sleazy, perfect for playing a parasite role. He’s the one,” Li Jun decided.

Then they talked about some other actors. Liu Yimin told them to broaden their casting choices and, if all else fails, to go to the Beijing People's Art Theatre to cast their actors.

Li Jun sighed and said, "If all the actors at our August First Film Studio were like the actors at the Beijing People's Art Theatre, with strong professional skills and able to convincingly portray any role, that would be great."

"The actors at Beijing People's Art Theatre are still very pure; those with strong professional skills go on, and those with weak skills are eliminated," Liu Yimin said.

The three were discussing casting and filming, and Zhu Lin, who was inside the house, couldn't help but sit by the bedroom door and listen to their discussion.

Yang Xiuyun said in a low voice, "Linlin, there will be plenty of time to work in the future."

"Mom, I don't have anything else to do anyway, so I'll just listen," Zhu Lin said.

Yang Xiuyun didn't say anything more, but instead held little Liu Lin and sat by the window, repeatedly teaching him to call her "Grandma".

Unfortunately, aside from drooling, the eldest grandson didn't react at all. Yang Xiuyun looked at her grandson with worry; her son and daughter-in-law both had to work, who would take care of the child?
The more she thought about it, the more worried she became. Yang Xiuyun had made up her mind that if things really didn't work out, she would stay here and take care of her grandson.

"Director Li, I wish us a successful start to filming."

"Definitely. Once the crew is assembled, you're welcome to come and inspect the work," Li Jun said with a smile.

The script for the TV series "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven" was given to the August First Film Studio, and the script fee was 1,000 yuan more than that for "The Legendary Shopkeeper", reaching 6,000 yuan.

Just as he closed the door, the doorbell rang again. Liu Yimin turned back and opened the door once more.

"Comrade Liu Yimin, I've brought Shi Mao'er to congratulate you!" Chen Peisi's eyes darted around, as if he were telling a skit.

Liu Yimin said with a smile, "You two haven't been hiding in the stairwell the whole time, have you?"

"It was a bit windy on the way here, but the weather changed when we got to your courtyard. It became sunny and bright, so we went up to the rooftop to bask in the sun for a while." Chen Peisi's words were very fluent, making Zhu Shimao, who was standing next to him, a little envious.

You're just a supporting character, is it appropriate for you to say so much?

Zhu Shimao said, "Comrade Yimin, congratulations on the birth of your twins."

The two had followed Li Jun and Wei Lian to the Overseas Chinese Apartment, but they couldn't go in with them, so they had to find a place to hide. They only came in after the two had left.

"You're too kind, come in! You two are big stars now, I'm very happy to have you here."

This year's Spring Festival Gala saw Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao become household names across China with their performance of "Eating Noodles." This marked the beginning of their golden partnership, during which they frequently appeared on CCTV until 98 when various "mistakes" occurred during their performance of "The Prince and the Postman," after which they bid farewell to the Spring Festival Gala stage.

As soon as the two entered the apartment, Yang Xiuyun recognized them: "Eating noodles?"

"Auntie, it's just about eating noodles, it was a scene we acted out, what did you think? You watched it too?"

Yang Xiuyun said happily, "We watched it, our whole family loves watching it. We never thought we'd finally see real people today."

“Auntie, you have quite a sense of humor too,” Chen Peisi replied cheerfully.

In Yang Xiuyun's eyes, Chen Peisi and Zhu Shimao were far more capable than Li Jun and Wei Lian.

Upon entering the living room, Yang Xiuyun washed some fruit for the two of them, warmly inviting them to eat while asking them how they had acted out the scene.

Zhu Shimao and Chen Peisi even performed a skit on the spot, making the two little ones giggle.

Zhu Shimao said with a smile, "These two children are really handsome. It seems that good-looking parents produce good-looking children. Then I have nothing to worry about."

"Why aren't you worried?" Chen Peisi teased.

Zhu Shimao said smugly, "Am I not handsome? Pace, I think you should be worried!"

The two chatted casually, and it turned into a skit, making Yang Xiuyun laugh heartily again, praising the two young men as funny.

Zhu Lin interjected, "I think the two of you should continue to work together. You're sure to achieve great things in the comedy field in the future."

"I used to want to play the lead role in movies, but now I've figured it out. I'm probably just good at comedy and making the audience laugh," Chen Peisi honestly said.

Zhu Shimao put his arm around Chen Peisi's shoulder and said, "I never thought we would become partners, and it's all thanks to Lao Chen for taking care of us."

Zhu Shimao was transferred to the August First Film Studio last year, originally intending to showcase himself on screen, but unexpectedly became a household name on the Spring Festival Gala stage.

Zhu Shimao was not well-off. His wife was a drama actress in the Fuzhou Military Region, and he had to send his earnings home.

Chen Peisi's financial situation was much better than Zhu Shimao's; his father was a famous actor at the August First Film Studio.

Compared to Chen Peisi, Zhu Shimao has a greater desire to make money.

The two subtly hinted at wanting to learn how to write scripts from Liu Yimin. Chen Peisi said, "We want to continue down the path of sketch comedy. Comrade Yimin, this performance style is a first not only on the Spring Festival Gala but also nationwide. Therefore, it is our responsibility to carry forward this performance style."

Yan Shunkai's performance of "Ah Q's Monologue" appeared on the Spring Festival Gala stage in 1983. It had the prototype of a skit, but because it was based on the adapted film script "The True Story of Ah Q" and lacked an independent narrative structure, it was not considered a skit.

In any industry, the title of "pioneer" is something countless people strive for. Having grasped the basics of sketch comedy, these two naturally wanted to delve deeper and build upon it. "Teacher Wan even praised you, saying you have ideas. Sketch comedy is meant to make the audience laugh, but it must be entertaining without being vulgar. You can't just write low-brow scripts to make people laugh. There are many interesting things in crosstalk; you can absorb some of them," Liu Yimin said.

They talked about the skit and then moved on to "The Best Restaurant Under Heaven". Liu Yimin noticed that both of them wanted to act in it. He said, "The young roles in it are all minor ones. I don't think they are suitable for you. You two already have a lot of fame among the national audience. You must be very selective when choosing roles."

Do you guys know the script for *The Button*? Shanghai Film Studio is about to start filming it. I think the lead role is quite suitable for Shi Mao, and I'll write a letter recommending him. Whether it works out or not depends on the director. As for Pace, if it's a supporting role…

Chen Peisi said, "I take every role seriously."

Liu Yimin's words flattered them greatly, making Zhu Shimao and Chen Peisi very happy. After seeing the two off, the house finally became quiet.

Liu Yimin held little Liu Yu in his arms, and Yang Xiuyun said to little Liu Lin, "Look at your little sister, look at your little sister, smile, my grandson!"

"Mom, how many months old was Teacher Liu when she started talking? I'm guessing when those two little ones will be able to walk and talk," Zhu Lin asked with a smile.

Yang Xiuyun said, "Yimin was a real troublemaker when he was little. He could crawl and talk when he was five or six months old, and he could walk unsteadily before he was a year old."

In Ru County, "捣蛋" means clever and quick-witted.

Ten days later, fewer people came to visit, but the place became even more lively. The two little ones had their sleep schedules reversed, and they would occasionally let out a howl in their sleep at night.

If one of them makes a sound, the other will inevitably follow suit.

As soon as the crying started, the lights in several rooms immediately came on. Zhu's mother and Yang Xiuyun kept teaching the two how to soothe the child, but if they showed the slightest impatience, Zhu's mother and Yang Xiuyun would criticize them by saying, "You two were like this when you were little," implying that the child's nighttime crying was all because of them.

After putting Liu Yimin to sleep, Zhu Lin hugged Liu Yimin and said listlessly, "Teacher Liu, it's still best when it's just the two of us!"

Liu Yimin pinched her nose and said, "Alright, go to sleep now!"

Zhu Lin snuggled closer to Liu Yimin, then hugged him and fell into a deep sleep.

Back in his hometown, Liu Fuqing was overjoyed to hear that Liu Yisheng had given birth to twins. He spent his days smoking his pipe and telling everyone he met about his three adorable grandsons.

Li Dashan scoffed, "You've only seen one of your three grandsons, what's there to be proud of?"

"Old Li, you're so petty. Lan Yong is married, and he'll be pregnant soon too."

"That sounds like a human sentence!"

In the Chinese Department of Yenching University, Liu Yimin sat listlessly in his office, dozing off. Wu Zuxiang teased him, "You're too happy to have twins?"

"The US voted?" Liu Yimin asked, opening his eyes.

"I'm talking to you, you're too beautiful for your looks?"

"Sigh, it's heartbreaking!"

Just then, Yan Jiayan brought a notice to the Chinese Department. The school had officially decided to allow students to freely change their majors, but the application required the approval of the receiving major. The specific approval procedures would be determined by each major.

"The trend of changing majors in the US has finally reached Yenching University," Wu Zuxiang remarked.

Liu Yimin said, "Overall, it's good for students, giving them the opportunity to correct their life choices. However, for the school, it needs to be well-coordinated, and the number of students changing majors shouldn't be too high."

Yan Jiayan greeted Liu Yimin, signaling him to come to his office.

After entering, Yan Jiayan said, "The school did listen to some of our opinions. In addition, the school allocated 20,000 yuan as special funds into the academic scholarship account. With this extra 20,000 yuan, we don't have to worry about money anymore recently."

"I'm happy for the department," Liu Yimin said, his eyes bulging with dark circles.

Looking at his listless appearance, Yan Jiayan couldn't help but say, "If you're too tired, go to the empty office next door and take a nap. Don't always act like you're working hard. People who don't know better might think that our Chinese department is exploiting you!"

"I'll go find a bed right now," Liu Yimin said, getting up.

Yan Jiayan wanted to say something, but seeing how sleepy he was, he could only wave his hand and say, "Go on, get some more sleep!"

Liu Yimin couldn't find a bed, so Yan Jiayan went home and brought back mattresses and blankets to make a bed for Liu Yimin using a stool. Liu Yimin said with emotion, "Professor Yan, I will always support you!"

"There's no need for that. Just help me with some of the work." With that, Yan Jiayan walked out.

When Liu Yimin woke up, he found that Xia Yan was sitting at his desk reading a book.

"Awake?" Xia Yan asked with a smile.

Liu Yimin said awkwardly, "What brings you here?"

"Yan Jiayan didn't tell you, I'm here to talk to you about something."

Liu Yimin went out to wash his face and clear his head. Xia Yan said, "It's still related to the return of cultural relics to China. You mentioned UNESCO last time, right? Our country is preparing to join, and we should be able to join this year. It will be more convenient and more justifiable to protect cultural relics and heritage in the future."

"Are you looking for me? To retrieve some cultural relics?" Liu Yimin asked.

"Want them? How much can an individual get back? We need to both take them and protect them. More important than cultural relics is culture. Do you remember that research project you did on Western cultural strategies after the reform and opening up? Facts prove that everything is becoming a reality."

Your superiors, through observation, have gained even greater recognition of your abilities. They want you to conduct systematic research and establish a research institute to provide consultation and advice for policy decisions regarding cultural preservation.

Liu Yimin thought about it for a moment. This was asking him to set up a think tank!

"Me, form one? With my qualifications?"

Xia Yan said, "The capable rise to the top. Who dares to say you're young now? Your international influence has already begun to surpass that of the older generation of writers. Maybe in a few years, you'll be more famous than me, Xia Yan."

Besides, you're an associate professor at Yenching University, so your professional title is sufficient. Furthermore, I'm the nominal director, and you're the deputy director, but you'll be responsible for the day-to-day operations. As for the staff, you choose them!

Liu Yimin said, "Actually, this kind of content belongs to the field of journalism and communication studies."

“Your Chinese Department at Yenching University is just a subsidiary of the journalism program, so there’s no conflict. The Ministry of Culture and higher authorities have allocated a special budget, but things need to be done slowly, so don’t rush. You can come up with a draft first, and we can refine it gradually.”

Xia Yan stood up and stretched in the office, waiting for Liu Yimin's reply.

(End of this chapter)