Chapter 66: Wang Baoqiang

They say gold in September, silver in October, but this year's October in Jingcheng has been especially gloomy.

The relentless overcast rain, in any other year, would have been called extreme weather.

The temperature has uncommonly dropped to eight or nine degrees, and the fallen leaves along the road only add to the bleakness of autumn.

Cheng Chen and Gao Yuanyuan were the last to leave the cinema, both wrapped up tightly, afraid of being spotted by fans.

Honestly, if Cheng Chen had to rate Director Chen Kaige's "Together," he could only call it middling—safe and by-the-book.

Perhaps the brilliance of "Farewell My Concubine" was so dazzling that none of Master Chen's later films ever recaptured that feeling.

But no matter what others thought, Master Chen was having a great time, especially when his Professor Yu appeared in this film.

After being groomed by a South Korean stylist, he wore a black short trench coat, a short tasteful haircut, a tall frame, and a composed bearing.

That presence was no less impressive than any big-name star!

When Cheng Chen saw Master Chen appear on screen, his heart clenched, dreading he might blurt out:

"Arthur, please sit…"

But this was 2002, and the dashing Master Chen was still basking in the glory of "Farewell My Concubine," not yet having encountered the man named "Hu Ge."

"A Bloody Case Caused by a Steamed Bun" was therefore a story yet untold.

"What did you think of the film?"

Gao Yuanyuan asked with a smile.

"Not bad. Master Chen's skill is solid, a steady performance."

"I thought it was pretty good. I didn't expect Director Chen to be so good at acting too, not just directing. It'd be great if I could work on a film with him."

Gao Yuanyuan said dreamily.

Hearing this, Cheng Chen suddenly remembered that in his previous life, Gao Yuanyuan had indeed co-starred with Master Chen in "Search," and that was how she met Mark Chao on set and ended up with him…

Looks like from now on he'd have to steer Gao Yuanyuan clear of Master Chen—and Mark Chao too…

"Big bro!"

Cheng Chen, who was busy plotting how to dissuade Gao Yuanyuan from working with Master Chen, suddenly heard an excited and somewhat familiar voice.

He turned around and saw a simple-looking, goofy kid waving at him with a silly grin.

They were separated by a road. Though the boy was beaming at him with a childlike, foolish smile, Cheng Chen still recognized him.

Sha Gen… no, Wang Baoqiang!

Wang Baoqiang dashed across from the other side to Cheng Chen, grinning foolishly:

"At first I thought I was seeing things. I was thinking, how come a big star like you is out here strolling the streets, all wrapped up so tight? Didn't expect it really was you."

In his previous life, the two had met while running bit parts in Jingcheng, often hanging around Beijing Film Studio together looking for work.

Later, when Wang Baoqiang became famous, Cheng Chen would sigh at the sight of him on TV.

He never expected to run into him again in this life.

At this point, Wang Baoqiang was only sixteen, with a tigerish, bright-eyed look; when he smiled, his face creased with wrinkles, looking just like a young old man.

Seeing an old friend, Cheng Chen was also delighted. He took off his sunglasses and said with a smile:

"Weren't you waiting for work at Beijing Film Studio? What are you doing out here?"

"You know how it is—it's not like there's acting work every day. When there's nothing going on, I just wander around here looking for odd jobs.

Didn't expect to bump into you. I told them Cheng Chen, the one who sang 'The Wolf Fell in Love with the Sheep,' is my big bro, and none of them believed me."

Bao Qiang said with a grin.

Cheng Chen was four years older than him, and when they were running bit parts together, he had always called Cheng Chen "big bro."

Hearing that familiar "big bro," Cheng Chen felt as if he were back in those days eating boxed meals on set and running extras together.

"Let's go take a photo together later. Next time you tell them, you can show them the picture!"

Cheng Chen said with a smile.

"Sure!"

Wang Baoqiang nodded excitedly.

Then Cheng Chen introduced Gao Yuanyuan to him, and the silly kid blurted out:

"Hello, big sis! Big sis is so pretty!"

He immediately made Gao Yuanyuan blush bright red.

"Silly kid, come on, let's go get something to eat!"

The three of them went to a restaurant and booked a private room.

When Gao Yuanyuan took off her glasses and mask, Wang Baoqiang, who had been laughing and joking, suddenly became tongue-tied and awkward.

A sixteen-year-old boy, in front of a beautiful woman, had already learned to feel shy.

But Gao Yuanyuan was easygoing, and Cheng Chen kept the mood lively with jokes, so the boyish Wang Baoqiang soon couldn't hold back and started talking again.

He talked about what roles he'd played in crews since they parted, and what new friends he'd made.

He said the crew meals were way better than what he had at home, but the portions weren't enough, and besides, not every day brought a role.

He also said that once he made money from acting, he'd definitely bring his whole family to Jingcheng to see the flag-raising ceremony.

At this point, Wang Baoqiang was still a young lad; his hopes for the future were nothing more than eating his fill, earning money so his family could live well—simple, plain dreams.

Even after he became famous, when people mentioned Wang Baoqiang, they usually only remembered that simple, honest smile.

Down-to-earth, rustic—those were the strongest impressions people had of him.

Lucky enough to play only grassroots roles—that became the label many stuck on him.

But in truth, he might just be China's most underrated Best Actor.

Of course, for the still-unknown Bao Qiang, all of that was empty talk.

The meal was enjoyed by all, and Bao Qiang ate very happily.

Before leaving, Cheng Chen gave him his phone number and, seeing Wang Baoqiang wearing only a faded T-shirt, took him to the mall to buy two autumn outfits.

"No need, big brother, I'm fine in this—I trained at Shaolin Temple, I've fire inside me, I can handle it!"

Wang Baoqiang grinned a simple, earnest smile.

"If you won't buy them, then… sis, do you still have money? Give it all to me."

Cheng Chen pulled out all his cash, took another 500 yuan from Gao Yuanyuan, and gave Wang Baoqiang a total of 1500 yuan.

"Big brother, what are you doing? I have money, I don't need you to give me this."

Wang Baoqiang refused.

"What money do you have? Last time you struggled for a week just to ask your dad for 200 yuan. Today I only brought this much—I'm rich now."

"Autumn's here and it's cold—go buy some warm clothes. Keep the rest for emergencies. Call me if anything happens."

"But in a few days I'm going to Modu. If I'm not around, call Yuanyuan—take care of yourself, hold onto your dream of becoming an actor…"

Cheng Chen rattled on for a long while; this sixteen-year-old boy probably didn't understand what "dream" even meant.

But seeing him, Cheng Chen felt like he was looking at his younger self—and once he started talking, he couldn't stop.

Seeing Wang Baoqiang still trying to refuse, Cheng Chen hardened his expression and said:

"Just take it. Pay me back when you're famous and rich—if you can't pay, forget it. That's all there is to it!"

Wang Baoqiang wiped his reddened eyes and silently tucked the money away.

"By the way, remember to stay away from a girl surnamed Ma!"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean exactly what I said. And from today on, don't leave Jingcheng until a director comes to cast you. Understood?"

Cheng Chen repeated his warning.

"Big brother, why are you acting so weird? Can you even read fortunes?"

"Forget it! Just listen to me—it's right!"

"I got it!"

Turning around, Cheng Chen muttered under his breath:

"Li Yang's 'Blind Mine' should already be in preparation—shooting starts in winter. I won't have to wait long…"