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

Chapter 83 Beijing People's Art Theatre Invites Script Revision
Liu Yimin quickly dressed, hurriedly washed up, glared at the three gloating people beside him, and said, "Why didn't you wake me up sooner!"

Liu Zhenyun shrugged: "I think that's what I'm thinking. Director Yang forbids us from calling you that. I think he's deliberately trying to mess with you!"

Liu Yimin didn't reply, and hurriedly ran downstairs. Laughter erupted again inside, even more unrestrained than before. Several people laughed and said, "Yimin just said not to make a scene, didn't he?"

Yang Hui and Lan Tianye stood by the dormitory manager's window, talking and waiting for Liu Yimin.

"Professor Yang, Mr. Lan, I'm really sorry for what happened earlier. Please forgive my rudeness!" Liu Yimin said honestly.

“Hey, what’s this? Young people like us, it’s normal to sleep in. For people like us, only when we get a good night’s sleep can our minds be clear, and only when we’re clear-headed can we create good works.” Lan Tianye shook hands with Liu Yimin while facing Yang Hui.

The last time Liu Yimin met Yang Hui, he was an eccentric old man, but today he was inexplicably kind.

"Yimin, Lao Lan came here to invite you to adapt the novel 'Mr. Donkey' into a stage play script. The Beijing People's Art Theatre has taken a liking to it and thinks it has great adaptation value. I believe you have also read Dean Wan's book review."

Adapted into a stage play script? Liu Yimin thought to himself, "Just as I suspected." Cao Yu's book review was tantamount to sending a signal. He had a guess in mind, but he didn't expect the action to be so swift.

The Beijing People's Art Theatre has largely recovered, with eight or nine out of ten actors and directors who were scattered across various locations returning. Now, they face another challenge: a shortage of scripts.

Of course, if we keep performing the old scripts, especially "Teahouse" and "Thunderstorm," there will still be plenty of audiences. However, the development of drama cannot rely on old scripts to sustain itself.

As the dean, Cao Yu led his team through a list of the better novels recently published, and they chose Liu Yimin's "Mr. Donkey".

"Mr. Donkey" is a film adapted from a stage play, but he has only seen the movie and not the stage play.

“Mr. Lan, I can give it a try, but I’m afraid the script I write won’t be up to par. Plays are different from novels; the characters’ psychology and other descriptions are all brought to the fore through dialogue, so the requirements for the characters’ dialogue are very high.”

Liu Yimin said hesitantly.

"The fact that you can say that shows you understand theater, so I'm confident in entrusting it to you. Just focus on making changes; if they're not good, we old men will take care of it. Besides, the script is important, but the actors are important too. We'll also make some changes during rehearsals."

Lan Tianye patted Liu Yimin on the shoulder, his eyes filled with appreciation, signaling him to boldly make the changes.

"Mr. Lan, if I encounter a problem, could I seek some solutions at the Beijing People's Art Theatre?"

Lan Tianye didn't understand, so Yang Hui coughed and said, "Old Lan, it's really difficult to get a young person to revise a play script. The Beijing People's Art Theatre has some experienced playwrights who can help out. Also, I heard that Dean Wan is relatively free recently, so he can also give some pointers to the younger generation at Peking University."

Lan Tianye glanced at Liu Yimin, then at Yang Hui. These two were working together to make a move on Dean Wan!
Liu Yimin looked at Yang Hui gratefully and said with trepidation, "If Elder Wan could give me even a little guidance, it would be enough to benefit me for a lifetime!"

"Master Jiabao personally reviewed this script. The script is of utmost importance to the Beijing People's Art Theatre. Don't worry, Yimin, if you have any questions, come to the theatre and I'll take you to Master Jiabao. Also, if you want to see a play at the theatre, you can go directly to my office and I'll give you some good seats."

After Lan Tianye left, Yang Hui glanced at Liu Yimin, then put his hands behind his back and said with a hint of anger:

"I also specialize in writing plays!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yimin realized that Yang Hui had indeed written many excellent play scripts, and that Yang Hui was jealous. He was about to make a few excuses.

Yang Hui added, "If you could get guidance from Dean Wan, you'd definitely be better than me. But since I live nearby, you can come find me at Yandong Garden if you have any questions. I live in Building 67. If you don't like the food in the cafeteria, you can come here for a change." Yandong Garden and Yannan Garden are both residences of Peking University professors, classical villas blending Chinese and Western styles. The difference is that Yannan Garden is on campus, while Yandong Garden is outside the East Gate.

Goodbye, Professor Yang!

Liu Yimin saw Yang Hui off at the dormitory building, but Yang Hui waved to him, telling him not to go any further.

After seeing Yang Hui off, they returned to their dormitory. Inside, the three people asked Lan Tianye from the Beijing People's Art Theatre what he wanted from him.

"It's nothing, they just asked me to adapt 'Mr. Donkey' into a stage play!"

The three of them were stunned. They must have laughed too loudly just now!
"This is hard to change!"

Take your time!

Liu Yimin looked at the dejected group and couldn't bear it, so he offered them a few words of encouragement. He took out some White Rabbit candies from his bag and handed them to them, hoping to stimulate their dopamine levels with the candy.

If this continues, he's afraid he won't be able to find anyone to go to the toilet with in the future, because his pee smells so bad.

The first activity of the Chinese Culture Research Society was finally about to begin, but Liu Yimin had been delaying it, which angered Li Congren so much that he went to the leaders of the Office of the Returned Overseas Students. Liu Yimin simply shrugged, "There's no venue!"

Soon, the Overseas Students Office found a small house, and Liu Yimin hung a sign that read "Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press," which was officially called the "Foreign Students' Chinese Culture Research Society."

The leaders of the office were speechless. Before leaving, they looked at Liu Yimin and said, "Anyone who didn't know better would think this was a department-level unit."

Thanks to the efforts of Li Congren and Ke Lifu, the number of international students in the society reached twelve, accounting for one-fifth of the total number of international students at Yenching University.

“Muratu, an Ethiopian, is currently a philosophy student.”

Upon hearing Li Congren's introduction, Liu Yimin, who was drinking tea, almost choked. This was the future President of Ethiopia and an old friend of the Chinese people.

Yenching University not only cultivates talents for China, but also for foreign countries. Many people return to China after studying Chinese, and most of them are likely to work in diplomacy with China. It is rare for someone to become a president.

Ethiopia's unity is also unity!

A number of ruthless people gathered in this small room.

"Vice President, everyone's here, let's begin!" Li Congren said.

"Welcome everyone, I am Liu Yimin. You come from different countries, but once we're in this room, we're all comrades. As the saying goes, 'A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.' Even if you leave China in the future, don't forget me. If you have food to eat, I should too. What I mean is to learn the ways of friendship in Chinese culture and be a qualified friend."

"Li Congren has been in China for a long time, so you should first tell everyone about your experiences in China, and the others should listen carefully."

After Liu Yimin finished speaking, he looked at Mulatu beside him and said, "Mulatu, if he doesn't understand, remember to ask Li Congren."

(End of this chapter)