Chapter 187: Gouzi Four Weis (Guaranteed 2 updates)

Calculating this account, the losses were indeed heavy. Lu Xiaoyan had already decided to tighten her belt; she wouldn't buy the color TV for now, and would just make do with the black-and-white one.

However, seeing how happy Xizi and Lele were, and thinking of how Xizi would have so much material to brag about once he returned to school, Wei Ming felt it was all worth it.

Wei Ming also comforted Aunt Xiaoyan: "If Xizi really becomes a performing artist in the future, this little sacrifice will be nothing."

Aunt Xiaoyan was a bit uncertain: "A performing artist? Him? Is that possible?"

"Then if a suitable role comes looking for him in the future, will you still let him act?" Wei Ming asked with a smile.

"Acting is fine, but our family can't put any more money into it," Aunt Xiaoyan said decisively.

It was precisely because actors' incomes were too low right now that Aunt Xiaoyan felt this conflict.

Like Gong Ying and Zhu Lin, they had no acting fees; filming only provided a daily subsidy of one yuan. Additionally, they received their unit's salary, and the unit would receive some economic compensation from the film studio. As for someone like Xizi who had no unit, he only got the subsidy.

It would likely be many years before actors could receive actual acting fees, which was why Li Lianjie finally couldn't bear it anymore and wanted to leave the system after filming the Shaolin Trilogy.

At least for these few years, the earnings of top actors and singers couldn't compare to someone like Wei Ming, who was both a writer and a screenwriter.

After returning to school, Biaozi and Xiao Mei had also just arrived. Seeing their joyous expressions, everything must have gone quite smoothly. However, neither of them mentioned their experience of taking a sleeper train on the way back, fearing that Wei Ming would bring up the airplane.

Today was May Fourth, and the school was filled with commemorative activities from morning till night. In the evening, the student union even held a bonfire party. Wei Ming was invited over by students from the Chinese Department, and everyone was urging him to release a new work.

Liu Zhenyun was particularly eager: if you don't release a novel, how can I publish a review? And if I don't publish a review, how can I earn my writing fee?

Cha Jianying teased: "Is it because you're not short on money now that you have no motivation to write?"

Wei Ming had no choice but to repeat that he was preparing a full-length novel, and that he had already been preparing for half a year, spending that entire time researching materials.

The students were deeply shocked after hearing this, especially student writers who already had some fame, like Chen Jiangong and Huang Beijia; they all felt a surge of determination inside.

Meanwhile, another student from the '77 class, Su Mu, was more concerned about the filming situation of *The Herdsman*, which was in line with his future identity as a professor at the Beijing Film Academy.

Thus, Wei Ming talked about what he had seen and heard on the filming set, satisfying the students' curiosity about the movie.

The May Fourth Movement also held extraordinary significance for many old professors at the school; one could see many professors on campus this evening.

Although Wu Zuxiang was too young to catch the May Fourth Movement at the time, he didn't want to stay upstairs tonight with it being so lively. He came out to join the fun and then saw Wei Ming.

"You're back!" He pulled Wei Ming aside in surprise.

"What's wrong, Teacher Wu?"

Wu Zuxiang said: "Didn't you say you wanted to buy a house?"

Wei Ming's expression shifted: "Do you have a lead?"

Wu Zuxiang said: "An old friend of mine, who is also a fellow townsman, lives in the Overseas Chinese Apartments in Huayuan Village. We were drinking tea recently and I heard him say that one of his neighbors is preparing to go abroad and wants to sell their house."

Overseas Chinese Apartments, great!

However, Wei Ming first asked: "How big is this friend's neighbor's house?"

He couldn't afford anything too big.

"That I'm not clear on, but my friend's house is considered small in that residential area. After all, there aren't many people in his family, but the houses over there are very expensive."

"I'm mentally prepared for that," Wei Ming asked again, "Then when can I go see the house?"

"If you have that intention, I'll give him a call in a while and give you the news tomorrow."

"Alright!"

Afterward, Wei Ming found Brother Feng again to retrieve the motorcycle keys; he would need it to look at the house.

Upon returning to the dormitory, Wei Ming began to size up Biaozi and the other. Based on the speed at which they were making money as 'daoye' (resellers), they were 'thousand-yuan households' last time, and now they were probably 'two-thousand-yuan households'.

However, unless absolutely necessary, Wei Ming didn't want to borrow money. Even if he did, he would have to distinguish between close and distant relations, borrowing from Uncle Anping first, then considering Sister Xue and Sister Lin.

Early the next morning, Wei Ming and Biaozi went running together; both were prepared to show their skills at the faculty sports meet.

As a result, while running, they saw the figure of an old man, running very slowly but very stubbornly.

Wei Ming quickly ran a few steps faster to greet him.

"Wu Lao, are you exercising too?"

Wu Zuxiang laughed: "I signed up for the sports meet in two days too."

"Then who would dare to outrun you?"

"Nonsense, I'm not the principal, what's there not to dare?"

The two looked at each other and laughed. The old man was tired from running and leaned against a horizontal bar, wiping sweat with a towel. Wei Ming also stopped beside him.

Wu Lao said: "I already made the call yesterday. My friend will be home after six this evening, and his neighbor will be home too. You can go over and take a look; I won't make the trip with you."

"Alright, I'll call my uncle when the time comes."

Just as he finished speaking, Wu Zuxiang pointed behind Wei Ming: "Your uncle is here."

Wei Pingan was seen wearing the military uniform from his time in the army, also exercising. It was May, so he had already switched to a tank top. He had also signed up for several events in the sports meet.

Wei Ming called Uncle Anping over and asked if he had time after work in the afternoon to accompany him to see the house. Hearing that Wu Lao had helped Wei Ming find a house in the Overseas Chinese Apartments, Uncle Anping was very happy—not for the sake of the house, but because Wu Lao was so enthusiastic. Being able to have such a respected elder help find a house showed that Xiao Ming had a very good relationship with the professors in the Chinese Department.

He indicated: "I have no problem with that."

Wu Zuxiang said: "That's good, I'll write down my friend's house number for you."

"What does this friend of yours do? How should I address him?" Wei Ming asked.

"You can also call him Wu Lao; he's a painter."

Wei Pingan immediately guessed: "Wu Lao, could this Wu Lao you're talking about be Mr. Wu Zuoren?"

"Yes, it's him."

Once it was put that way, Wei Ming knew. The great painter Wu Zuoren, who later served as the Chairman of the Artists Association for a long time, was considered a top tycoon in the painting world.

When Wei Ming and Mei Linda were buying paintings at the Friendship Store, they had seen many of Wu Zuoren's works, and eventually bought one of his traditional Chinese paintings. However, Wu Zuoren's oil paintings were also quite formidable.

Unlike many famous painters who learned traditional Chinese painting first and then oil painting, Wu Zuoren was a 'sea turtle' (returnee); he learned Western painting techniques first, then traditional Chinese painting, and was particularly skilled at painting pandas.

As for Wu Zuoren living in the Overseas Chinese Apartments, it wasn't strange. His paintings could sell for money internationally, making him one of the first Chinese people to move into the Overseas Chinese Apartments. Moreover, his late wife was a foreigner.

!

As for the two Old Wus knowing each other, it wasn't strange; they were both tycoons in the cultural circle, so it was normal for them to know each other.

Later, after Wu Zuxiang left, it was Uncle Anping who told Wei Ming: "The two Old Wus are not only the same surname and age, but they are also fellow townsmen."

"Ah?"

"Haven't you heard of the famous 'Three Wus of Maolin'? The literary artist Wu Zuxiang, the painter Wu Zuoren, and another older calligrapher, Wu Yuru. All three are from Maolin, Jing County, Anhui. They are probably from the same ancestor and share the same genealogy."

Worthy of being the former Director of the General Office of the General Affairs Department, Wei Ming felt that Uncle Anping had figured out the family background of every professor in the school. Based on this dedication, he would certainly be able to manage the school's property well.

Wei Ming also knew Wu Yuru, a master of calligraphy, on par with Shen Yinmo, Yu Youren, and others. He was also a classmate of Wu Hao, and his pseudonym seemed to be 'Maolin Hermit'.

Wei Ming sighed: "This Wu family is not simple!"

There were many such families in the south that produced talents, like the Qian family and the Yu family. Wei Pingan added: "Hopefully, our Wei family can be just as impressive in the future."

Wei Ming nodded, it certainly would!

In his past life, Xizi, Lele, and Xiao Hong were all very outstanding; Wei Ming was the one dragging them down. But in this life, he would lead his younger brother and sister toward higher and further glory!

A writer, a film emperor, a diva, and a mathematician.

When people talk about the 'Gouzi Four Weis' in the future, they will surely talk about it with great relish!

Thinking of this, Wei Ming and Uncle Anping both felt their blood boiling, and then the two raced a 1000-meter run.

Worthy of having been a soldier, 37-year-old Uncle Anping was still vigorous, only a figure faster than Wei Ming.

Wei Pingan: Just now I only used 70% of my strength. With this physical fitness of mine, I'm much stronger than the young guys. If it weren't for family planning, I'd have to have a third child no matter what!

Wei Ming: Hehe, Uncle has already used all his strength, but I still hid my strength. I will definitely win the championship easily in the competition!

Today, after Wei Ming went to work, he followed the editors of the school journal to review articles related to May Fourth. Wei Ming also contributed a photo from yesterday's bonfire party.

Additionally, he took time at noon to develop the photos from this trip to Gansu and Xi'an, two of which were solo shots of Sister Xue.

One was in casual clothes, one in costume. Although Sister Xue's state wasn't as tender as last year, the thick maternal aura on her was too attractive.

He didn't know how long it would take for her to pull herself out of the 'mother' role.

After finishing work in the afternoon, Wei Ming met up with Uncle Anping at the South Gate. Beside him were Xizi and Lele.

Uncle Anping said in a dilemma: "Can the motorcycle fit two adults and two children? Your aunt just returned to the unit and wants to work a bit more overtime."

Wei Ming indicated: "Don't talk about two adults and two children; the peak record of this vehicle of mine was four people: me, Brother Feng, Biaozi, and Xiao Mei."

Mei Wenhua on the side joked: "Don't talk about four people; even if two more came, it could fit them. This car is super bossy!"

Once they left, Biaozi called Xiao Mei aside.

"Running this morning, I heard Professor Wu from the Chinese Department talking to Brother Ming about buying a house."

"Buy, buy a house!" Mei Wenhua's face flushed with excitement.

He hadn't even thought about this before; at most, he just thought about earning more money and then moving out to rent a house alone.

"That must cost a lot, lot of money, right?" Mei Wenhua asked.

Biaozi: "Yeah, I'm afraid Brother Ming can't afford it. He's usually too extravagant. Do you think we should show some support?"

Mei Wenhua thought for a moment: "Since we've already committed to this, our plan to buy a motorcycle will have to be postponed."

It turned out that the two of them had come across a channel for reselling "imported" motorcycles in Shenzhen and were planning to partner up to buy a cheap one next time, so as not to affect their business capital.

"What's the big deal? Brother Ming never stops us from riding his bike anyway. At worst, we'll just buy one later."

Mei Wenhua finally made up his mind: "Alright then!"

(End of chapter)