Chapter 76: My Fan Turns Out to Be a National Actress? (Please Subscribe!)

"Do you have inspiration already?"

Chen Yixue, pleasantly surprised, said, "Then write quickly."

Xu Yuexin set down his beer mug, took out the Parker Gold Pen she had given him, and pulled out a sheet of Manuscript Paper to begin writing.

Since he began writing, he has developed the habit of carrying paper and a pen with him at all times.

"NightAtTheMilitaryPort, oh so quiet, the sea waves gently rock the warship."

Young sailors rest their heads upon the surf,

in their sleep they reveal sweet smiles…

Line after line of beautiful lyrics are born on the snow‑white paper.

Xu Yuexin writes meticulously, and Chen Yixue can't help moving her chair to sit at his side and watch.

The lyrics catch her eye, and Chen Yixue is instantly captivated by the beautiful imagery.

On the gently rippling sea, the far‑sailing warship breaks the waves forward, returning to the mother port of the motherland.

The sailors, after a day's hard training, lie prone on the cabin bunks, soundly asleep, their mouths curled into smiles as they dream of returning home.

A tranquil, graceful, and realistic atmosphere.

Chen Yixue suddenly feels that the lyrics of this military song penned by Xu Yuexin are not only full of charm, but also stylistically very different from previous works on the same theme.

"When the sunrise paints the sea surface red,

we'll see our warship set sail again."

When Xu Yuexin puts down his pen, Chen Yixue feels that the entire song's tone is elevated because of those two lines.

The soldiers long to return to port, and also anticipate the next voyage, letting the motherland's fleet leave traces across the four corners…

Exquisite, truly exquisite.

"The lyrics are really good, what title are you planning?"

Chen Yixue asked admiringly.

"Let's call it NightAtTheMilitaryPort, here, I'll compose the melody for you."

Xu Yuexin drinks another beer, picks up the gold pen again and says,

Chen Yixue quickly refills the beer mug, her gaze constantly fixed on Xu Yuexin's pen tip.

Before putting pen to music, Xu Yuexin first recalls the familiar melody in his mind, then writes it onto the paper.

"Sigh……"

After finishing, Xu Yuexin caps his fountain pen and stretches lazily, feeling content.

Chen Yixue can't wait, takes the lyrics and melody into her hands, and hums lightly along with the tune.

"NightAtTheMilitaryPort…"

The melody penned by Xu Yuexin floats out of Chen Yixue's voice, sounding extremely beautiful.

"Well written, it's a distinctive military song."

After a brief hum, Chen Yixue puts down the lyrics, excitedly says, "I'll toast you, thank you for today's effort."

Before the words finish, she turns, grabs a cup, fills it with beer, raises it high, smiling: "I believe this song you wrote will definitely sell."

"Then you'll be a great hero."

"Cheers, just have a little."

"Bang……"

The two beer mugs clink crisply together, Chen Yixue's red lips press to the rim, sipping small sips, eventually drinking more than half.

Two blushes immediately appear on her cheeks.

"I'm no longer in the Cultural Troupe, so I can't use their recording studio."

"I'll practice at home first, then go to other units to ask if any good friends there can lend me one."

Chen Yixue's eyes stare at Xu Yuexin, speaking brightly.

"If you need a favor, let me handle it."

Xu Yuexin, unhurriedly, says, "A few days ago I attended a cultural arts gathering, and several music colleagues slipped me business cards."

"Leave the rest to me, I should be able to get you a recording studio."

"How could I trouble you again?"

Chen Yixue says shyly, but is truly grateful inside.

Since she left the Cultural Troupe, Xu Yuexin has paved the whole way for her, showing great planning and responsibility.

"It's not a trouble, just a simple little thing."

Xu Yuexin, with a carefree smile, says, "Just make sure you practice to your best before I secure the studio."

"Is ten days enough?"

"Hmm, more than enough."

Chen Yixue nods gratefully.

As the alcohol takes effect, her gaze lingers on Xu Yuexin more and more…

To ease the drunkenness, Chen Yixue drinks two sips of milk, leaving a thick milky residue on her red lips.

Xu Yuexin watches her milk‑stained red lips and can't help thinking of some wicked thoughts.

"……"

After saying goodbye to Chen Yixue and returning home, Xu Yuexin opens his desk drawer and pulls out a thick stack of business cards.

These cards were slipped to him as the award ceremony ended; Xu Yuexin brought them home and tossed them into the drawer without examining them.

Unlike later printed cards, these were hand‑made on site, each bearing the person's name, title, and contact address.

The cards include agency leaders, Jingcheng writers, and other arts professionals such as dancers and singers.

Xu Yuexin kept flipping through it, and finally his eyes settled on a line of delicate, graceful characters.

General Administration Drama Troupe, performance team captain Gong Ruxue (Gong Xue).

Beside it were also her family's postal code and address.

Huh… she's actually there? Xu Yuexin truly can't recall; this actress who will later become famous across the nation had actually handed him a business card on the awards day.

He can only say that everyone was too enthusiastic at the time, one after another flooding in, and he couldn't possibly look closely at each.

The drama troupe needs to record Cassette Tapes for sale, so it surely has a recording studio.

He could write a Letter to Gong Ruxue and see if she can help coordinate it.

Xu Yuexin thought it over and took out Letter paper and an envelope…

…

The next day, Xu Yuexin took the Letter to Gong Ruxue to the post office and added an express tag to speed it up.

The Letter's content expressed a wish to meet her and discuss borrowing the recording studio.

Within three days, Gong Ruxue's reply arrived, also marked as express.

The Letter was lengthy. Gong Ruxue first agreed to meet Xu Yuexin at the beginning, and later added several long paragraphs expressing love for his works and admiration of his talent.

On the appointed meeting day, Xu Yuexin tucked several Foreign Exchange Coupons into his pocket and went to wait for Gong Ruxue at the entrance of a restaurant near the General Administration Drama Troupe.

The meeting place was suggested by Xu Yuexin, considering he was asking someone else to handle the matter, so he chose a spot close to Gong Ruxue.

Xu Yuexin waited at the doorway until a pretty girl with an egg‑shaped face, carrying a Shoulder Bag, walked toward him.

The girl's skin was fair and glowed with a youthful, healthy rosy sheen; her cherry lips and willow‑shaped eyebrows were very pleasing together, her nose bridge straight and tip delicate, forming the finishing touches of her features.

The slightly curled, jet‑black hair at the ends fell to her shoulders, looking both fashionable and dignified.

When she reached Xu Yuexin, a faint smile appeared on her face, and she greeted him proactively: "Hello, comrade writer, I'm Gong Ruxue; we met at the venue that day."

"Hello, Xu Yuexin, pleased to see you again," Xu Yuexin said politely, "Shall we go inside and talk?"

That's the advantage of going on stage to receive an award; even though Xu Yuexin didn't exchange a word with Gong Ruxue that day, she still remembered his face.

"Remember to order fewer dishes later; I can't eat much," she said.

Gong Ruxue smiled at the corners of her mouth and followed Xu Yuexin across the restaurant's threshold.

"That won't do. Art is both mental and physical labor; you need to replenish nutrition," she replied.

Xu Yuexin insisted, went to the counter and ordered three dishes; Gong Ruxue, at his request, also ordered one.

Braised pork ribs in sauce, beer‑marinated duck, four‑delight meatballs, and soy‑bean‑steamed chicken—four substantial dishes in total, showing great sincerity in asking a favor.

After sitting toward the back of the restaurant, Gong Ruxue set down her Shoulder Bag, took out a copy of The Horse Herder from inside, and placed it before Xu Yuexin: "May I have your autograph, please?"

"An autograph? No problem," she said.

Xu Yuexin took out a pen, opened the book's cover, and swiftly wrote several strong, vigorous lines on it.

"Wishing comrade Gong Ruxue success in her performing career, and may you advance further beyond the hundred‑foot pole," he wrote.

"Xu Yuexin, August 4, 1979, signed."

Gong Ruxue felt overjoyed upon seeing his encouragement.

She had only hoped to get a famous writer's autograph, but didn't expect him to also write a message.

"Thank you, your handwriting is truly beautiful," she said.

Gong Ruxue took the book, examined Xu Yuexin's script, her eyes smiling like two little crescents, and asked, "You're here today to discuss the recording studio, right?"

"Exactly, we plan to use it to record a song; it won't take long," he replied.

Xu Yuexin assured earnestly.

"Well, the thing is, we're currently recording a tribute program on Cassette Tape, and we need the studio all day."

"If you want to borrow it, you'll have to do it at night," she said.

Gong Ruxue replied honestly, "I'm not sure if that's convenient for you; if it isn't, I'll think of another way."

"Completely fine. We plan to come to your drama troupe to record in three days; any problem on your end?" he asked.

"No problem. Actually, as long as it's at night, it's basically anytime."

During the conversation, the restaurant server brought out the dishes, and the two began to pick up their chopsticks.

Since it was Gong Ruxue's first meeting with Xu Yuexin, she ate very politely and restrainedly, even hesitant to take extra pieces of meat.

In reality, faced with the fragrant dishes, she felt the hunger bugs in her stomach were about to burst.

Gong Ruxue is indeed the performance team captain, but because of frequent transfers over the years, her rating has been delayed, and she is still a fourth‑level actor with limited monthly earnings.

Such a lavish meal she can only enjoy after a major performance; normally she can't afford it.

"Don't be formal, dig in," he said.

Seeing Gong Ruxue's restraint, Xu Yuexin picked up a large piece of chicken and said, "Just consider it a meal with family."

"Then I'll… not be polite?" she replied.

Gong Ruxue smiled shyly and also picked up a large piece of chicken.

As they ate, Xu Yuexin grabbed another chicken leg and placed it in her bowl: "Add more nutrition."

"Ah, really not needed…" she said.

Gong Ruxue felt very embarrassed, thinking Xu Yuexin was very caring.

"Eat, as I said, think of it as being with family," he urged.

Xu Yuexin encouraged.

Only then did Gong Ruxue, cheeks flushed, pick up the chicken leg and bite into it attentively.

He didn't know who said it, but watching a beautiful woman eat is also a pleasure.

Xu Yuexin realized this saying on Gong Ruxue, finding her chicken‑leg chewing adorable, especially as her cheekbones puffed out.

Before long, the four dishes were completely devoured by the two of them.

Gong Ruxue, with the sumptuous dishes, ate a whole large bowl of rice and still felt more than satisfied.

But, she really couldn't eat any more.

As she was about to thank him for the hospitality, Xu Yuexin took out a 50‑yuan Foreign Exchange Coupon and a 50‑yuan banknote from his pocket and placed them on the table.

"Take them; there will be many more times I'll need to trouble you in the future."

After confirming no one was nearby, Xu Yuexin lightly tapped the table and said, "The Foreign Exchange Coupon is used at the Friendship Store, where there are many items you can't buy elsewhere."

"And it doesn't require any tickets."

Gong Ruxue looked at the banknote and the Foreign Exchange Coupon on the table; her first reaction was not joy but fear.

"Really, there's no need; we're just helping each other as friends…"

Gong Ruxue waved her hand and said.

"Borrowing once is fine. If it happens many times, you'll inevitably have to treat the troupe staff to meals and give gifts, right?"

Xu Yuexin reassured her, "So just take them."

After speaking, he stood up, grabbed the banknote and the Foreign Exchange Coupon, and, in an unrefusable manner, thrust them into Gong Ruxue's hand.

As Xu Yuexin approached, Gong Ruxue stared at his handsome face, her heart pounding, and, momentarily dazed, accepted the money and the coupon.

"Honestly… if there's anything I can help you with in the future, just let me know."

Regaining her composure, Gong Ruxue steadied herself and, very embarrassed, said she really couldn't look Xu Yuexin in the eye.

"If you want a signed book or anything related to writing, just tell me."

Xu Yuexin looked at Gong Ruxue's beautiful eyes and said.

On the evening three days later, Xu Yuexin went to the Chen Family to pick up Chen Yixue and headed to the General Administration Drama Troupe.

After reaching the courtyard gate, Xu Yuexin gave Gong Ruxue's name and was allowed to enter smoothly.

Inside the courtyard, the two waited on the lower floor; a while later, Gong Ruxue hurried over, still dressed in her drama performance costume.

When they saw Chen Yixue, Gong Ruxue and she both froze for a moment, a shared thought flashing in their minds.

What a delicate lady!

"I'm really sorry; I was rehearsing earlier and couldn't go out to meet you."

Realizing from Chen Yixue's beauty, Gong Ruxue, uneasy, said, "The troupe has already used up the recording studio; you can come with me now."

"That's not the case; we just arrived."

Xu Yuexin, unconcerned, said, "Let me introduce her: this is Chen Yixue; her sister is my beloved."

"This is Gong Ruxue, a pillar of the General Administration Drama Troupe and the performance team leader. We were able to borrow the recording studio this time, thanks to her vigorous help."

"Ah, Yixue? I've heard your name before."

Gong Ruxue, as if waking from a dream, proactively shook Chen Yixue's hand and said, "The most wonderful voice in the nation, the top among the Three Golden Flowers of the General Workers' Union Cultural Troupe."

"Not at all; Three Golden Flowers is just a casual nickname, and there's no ranking among them."

Chen Yixue remained aloof yet socially adept, "Drama is an art rich in thought; I must learn more from you, performance team leader."

"You're too kind."

After a brief exchange, the two beautiful women, Gong Ruxue and Chen Yixue, became acquainted and naturally linked arms, "Let's go to the recording studio now."

The group walked into the first‑floor corridor of the Drama Troupe, winding around before stopping in front of a spacious room.

"This is it."

Gong Ruxue said, taking out a key and turning it to open the door.

(End of chapter)